DCI History

Passed by the Forty-Second Wyoming Legislature, Chapter 246 of the 1973 Session Laws created an agency of state government under the office of the Attorney General, known as the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI). All property, records and funds of the investigative staff of the Attorney General were transferred to DCI on July 1, 1973.

The Attorney General, with the approval of the Governor is charged with appointing a Director. The Director must be a professional law enforcement officer, experienced in the modern methods of crime detection and the apprehension of criminals.

The Director is responsible for appointing professional law enforcement officers of honesty, integrity and outstanding ability as agents.

The Division's duties which have remained unchanged include:

a. When requested, assist state, county or local law enforcement in investigation and detecting crime and enforcing the criminal laws of the state.

b. When requested by a county or district attorney, assist in the preparation and prosecution of criminal cases.

c. Investigate suspected criminal activity when directed by the Governor.

d. Investigate violations of the Wyoming Controlled Substances Act.

e. Investigate organized crime which cuts across jurisdictional boundaries of local law enforcement agencies.

The same year, the Legislature created an agency of state government under the office of the Attorney General, known as the Wyoming Criminal Identification Division. The Attorney General, with the approval of the Governor appointed the Director.

This Division was charged with establishing and maintaining systems for the identification of criminals. All records, equipment and property were transferred from the Wyoming Board of Identification and the Wyoming Bureau of Identification on July 1, 1973, with them ceasing to operate.

In 1986, the Legislature reorganized the Division of Criminal Investigation and the Criminal Identification Division into a single division. All property and personnel of the Identification Division was transferred to DCI effective July 1, 1986.

July 1, 2013 marks the 40th anniversary of the Division of Criminal Investigation.